Newhall school garners lab for science

• Grant will put finishing touches on elementary facility.

Newhall Elementary School, the oldest school in the Newhall School District, dating back to 1940, celebrated the opening of its new science laboratory last week, and a grant from the Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation will help put the finishing touches on the project.

Renovated in the space formerly occupied by the school library, the lab is equipped with science laboratory tables, water service, technology to enhance learning, scientific equipment and supplies, and a variety of scientific models for "hands-on" use by students as they engage in actual science laboratory experiences.

A small group of dedicated parents has been raising money for a modern and well-equipped laboratory at the school since September 2006.

But there are still two missing pieces to round out the high-tech lab - a sophisticated projection device and digital microscopes. So Marc Winger, superintendent of the Newhall School District, sought support for this part of the project from The Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation.

The Newhall Foundation responded with a one-time grant of $10,000 that will enable the school to purchase state-of-the-art advanced digital microscopes and a large format projection tool.

"Our parents worked hard to make this lab a reality for our school and the Newhall Foundation has just given us the icing on the cake," said Timothy Lankford, principal of Newhall Elementary School. "These tools will take the students and teachers to even higher levels of achievement in the area of science at Newhall."

The Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation is an organization with a goal to support charitable, educational and cultural activities in California.

Its mission is "to improve the cultural and social life within the geographical areas associated with the career and legacy of California pioneer Henry Mayo Newhall."